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Topic: Looking down the pipeline (Read 2427 times)

Looking ahead a few years, I see the Leafs current roster as including a core of players under contract for the next 3+ years or are almost certain to be signed long term, guys who'll definitely be gone, players that are replaceable and likely won't be here after their current contract is up.

Kadri replaceable? Not if he keeps playing the way he has last year and this.

I think mr grieves means after this contract. Kadri will be 32 by the end of his contract. He's not getting another one with us.

Of the replaceables highlighted above, I'd say Brown has a shot at another contract here, when our future RWs are Marner, Brown, Bracco, 4thline. Nylander is beautiful as 1RW, but if we're in a cap crunch situation, he makes the most sense at centre for most cap efficient line driving (i.e. we don't have to go out and get another, because Aaltonen and Brooks and T. Moore aren't going to get you overmatch capabilities).

Kadri replaceable? Not if he keeps playing the way he has last year and this.

I think mr grieves means after this contract. Kadri will be 32 by the end of his contract. He's not getting another one with us.

Of the replaceables highlighted above, I'd say Brown has a shot at another contract here, when our future RWs are Marner, Brown, Bracco, 4thline. Nylander is beautiful as 1RW, but if we're in a cap crunch situation, he makes the most sense at centre for most cap efficient line driving (i.e. we don't have to go out and get another, because Aaltonen and Brooks and T. Moore aren't going to get you overmatch capabilities).

1. Kadri may get another contract with us, but only if its relatively short and his decline hasn't started in earnest.2. Future RW's- where's Kapanen???3. I'm cautiously optimistic that Brooks becomes at least as good as Tyler Bozak (and he's probably already is better defensively TBH... low threshold, I know)

1. Kadri may get another contract with us, but only if its relatively short and his decline hasn't started in earnest.2. Future RW's- where's Kapanen???3. I'm cautiously optimistic that Brooks becomes at least as good as Tyler Bozak (and he's probably already is better defensively TBH... low threshold, I know)

Frick on a stick, I forgot Kappy. He and Brown offer the same utility in different ways and should definitely be there.

I'm still assuming Nylander is moving to centre. I know there's a debate, but it's an option and one that Babcock wants to implement. If that does happen then there is no centre problem. Maybe a winger problem, but the depth there is pretty good.

Looking ahead a few years, I see the Leafs current roster as including a core of players under contract for the next 3+ years or are almost certain to be signed long term, guys who'll definitely be gone, players that are replaceable and likely won't be here after their current contract is up.

......................

My thoughts... two holes in the top-4 is a lot to deal with so hope they find a way to keep Gardiner, they looking thin at center...

This is the way I look at everything including my role at my job as marketing manager for the Canadian Maritimes, my own life, my church and of course the Maple Leafs..... many years down the road....which is a curse and a blessing.

Marner has done well at center this year in a small sample size and although all indications and predictions had Nylander moving to center next season I can see Nylander staying on the top line taking the occasional RH faceoff like this year with Marner moving to 3rd line center by next season to replace Bozak who was simply a NCAA UFA signing and could theoretically be replaced by a similar one.

My hope is that the year that Matthews and Marner's new contracts kick in that both Marleau and Martin will be traded that summer on July 2nd as Marleau will only be owed $1.25 MIL ($6.25 MIL Cap Hit) and Martin will be only owed $0.75 MIL ($2.5 MIL Cap Hit). They both have strong ties to the cities of the teams who drafted them so I suspect they could be traded back to the Sharks and Islanders respectively.

That would free up money for JVR to sign a long term (7-8 years) smaller salary ($5.0-$5.5) contract like is being reported that he is willing to do.

On defense I was thinking that the Leafs might be pursuing Igor Ozhiganov which is the 6'2" hard shooting, physical RD for next season.

Not sure about Gardiner as he still makes me cringe defensively but is really above average in everything else. If he signed a Rielly contract then I would think he will be staying, if not then he can move on.

Marner has done well at center this year in a small sample size and although all indications and predictions had Nylander moving to center next season I can see Nylander staying on the top line taking the occasional RH faceoff like this year with Marner moving to 3rd line center by next season to replace Bozak who was simply a NCAA UFA signing and could theoretically be replaced by a similar one.

Marner has done well at center this year in a small sample size and although all indications and predictions had Nylander moving to center next season I can see Nylander staying on the top line taking the occasional RH faceoff like this year with Marner moving to 3rd line center by next season to replace Bozak who was simply a NCAA UFA signing and could theoretically be replaced by a similar one.

Do you mean... Marner has looked good taking faceoffs?

Yes. But he also has been willing to back check, etc which I would hope the center would do as well.